Introduction
The rapid development of technology over the last decade has significantly improved the quality of life for modern people. However, the increased use of technology in daily life has exposed people to several risks associated with cybercrimes. Preventing the risks of becoming a victim of cybercrime presents an important task for all people who use technology for work, study, and entertainment. This essay will summarize how individuals can protect themselves from cybercrimes and contribute to solving the problem by educating their loved ones about these methods.
Prevention of Cybercrime Through Awareness
Protecting Personal Data and Avoiding Online Scams
Firstly, people should acknowledge the importance of personal data security in the online space. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid communicating with strangers and sharing personal information, such as residential addresses or phone numbers. The issue of cybercrime is particularly closely relevant to social media scams.
On social networks, scammers can hack into other people’s personal pages to deceive their real acquaintances and ask them for money. In fact, according to Gupta and Kumar, identity theft presents one of the most common types of cybercrimes (891). In such cases, limiting access to the information featured in a personal profile can reduce the chances of becoming a cybercrime victim. Otherwise, people should be more cautious with online interactions and avoid disclosing confidential information.
Securing Work-Related Accounts Against Hacking
Another significant method cybercriminals use is hacking work-related accounts. In such cases, the victim is asked to pay to recover their access to the account with important information. The problem will likely occur when network users do not periodically change passwords for valuable accounts (at least once every two months).
Moreover, people need to learn about the importance of changing their passwords when they receive a notification about an attempted login to their accounts. The solution to the problem is achieved by regularly changing passwords and enabling two-factor authentication (Alese et al. 138). This method utilizes one-time security codes to verify account activity, thereby reducing the likelihood of hackers gaining unauthorized access to the account.
Reporting Illegal Online Sales to Promote Digital Safety
Next, a different type of cybercrime that does not harm users directly but affects society is the sale of prohibited goods and substances online. The sellers of such goods primarily use secure websites that are difficult for ordinary users to locate. However, some sellers of such products may also use popular online marketplaces for sale after changing product descriptions. For example, one study found multiple illegal wildlife selling posts on Facebook (Xu et al., 1). Therefore, if someone comes across suspicious listings, they should contact the marketplace’s technical support or the police to ensure the safety of society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this essay examined the most common examples of cybercrimes and provided recommendations to help individuals avoid becoming victims. The essay defined safety as the top priority for users of the online space. It also explained that acquiring knowledge about the necessity of personal data security and the ability to establish a two-factor identification model can significantly help people protect themselves from cybercrimes.
Works Cited
Alese, T., et al. “A User Identity Management System for Cybercrime Control.” Nigerian Journal of Technology, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 129-139.
Gupta, Chander Mohan, and Devesh Kumar. “Identity Theft: A Small Step Towards Big Financial Crimes.” Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 897-910.
Xu, Qing, et al. “The Illegal Wildlife Digital Market: An Analysis of Chinese Wildlife Marketing and Sale on Facebook.” Environmental Conservation, vol. 47, no. 3, pp. 1-7.